“He ruined the show!” they said.

Then he vanished for 3 years.

Now he’s back, as an undercover agent in a high school?!

Seo Kang Joon’s journey is the ultimate plot twist.

THE EARLY DAYS 🚀

Before the controversy, Seo Kang Joon was carving his path in the industry.

Born Lee Seung Hwan in Gunpo, Gyeonngi Province in 1993, this visual standout started as a part-time model before landing his first acting role in 2012’s “To The Beautiful You.”

Fun fact: He was actually part of 5urprise, an actor-singing group that debuted in 2013! Talk about multi-talented!

Rolling Stone India didn’t exaggerate when they called him “unceasingly charming” – his diverse roles from romantic leads to action-packed characters prove his range!

Remember his role in “Cunning Single Lady” (2014)? That earned him the Best New Actor award at the 7th Korea Drama Awards!

His breakthrough came in 2016 with “Cheese in the Trap” as Baek In Ho – and that’s when things got complicated.

THE CONTROVERSY 📉

The internet buzzed with speculation. According to the source material, fans thought Seo influenced script changes that reduced Park Hae Jin’s screen time as Yoo Jung.

This wasn’t career-ending, but it definitely stirred drama!

As reported by Koreaboo, some netizens felt his image was damaged, while others continued to praise his visuals.

In an interview with Soompi, Seo clarified: his comments about changing lines were misinterpreted, and he did not alter the script.

The controversy showed how quickly public perception can shift in the entertainment world.

THE RESILIENCE PHASE 💪

Despite the drama, Seo kept evolving as an actor.

In 2018, he took on the massive challenge of dual roles in “Are You Human?” playing both Nam Shin and Nam Shin III.

This wasn’t just another gig – fans on AsianWiki specifically praised his improvement and potential in these demanding roles!

Other notable performances included “Watcher” (2019) and his heartwarming role as Eun Seop in “When the Weather is Fine” (2020).

Before military service, he made another big move – leaving Fantagio in 2020 to join Man of Creation (M.O.C). Major career shift!

THE MILITARY BREAK ⏸️

From November 23, 2021, to May 22, 2023, Seo served his mandatory military service.

But get this – he wasn’t just any soldier! He received the division commander’s commendation for excellent performance in basic training!

For nearly two years, he was away from the spotlight. The industry kept moving.

THE COMEBACK 🔄

February 2025 – Seo returns with “Undercover High School” on MBC.

He’s playing Jung Hae Seong – an NIS agent going undercover at Byeongmoon High School searching for Emperor Gojong’s missing gold bars.

His co-star? Jin Ki Joo as Oh Su A, his homeroom teacher who adds personal connection to his mission.

According to MyDramaList reviews, some fans are loving it: “exciting, humorous, action-packed!”. While others note it “loses momentum after the initial episodes,” giving it a 7.0 overall rating.

HIS EVOLUTION 🌟

In his Cosmopolitan Korea interview, Seo Kang Joon admitted to feeling “impatient” after his three-year hiatus and reflected on the gap between his real personality and his roles, revealing a more thoughtful approach to acting.

That frustration mirrors his character Jung Hae-seong’s struggles in Undercover High School. Unlike his college student role in Cheese in the Trap, this character’s deception and inner conflict align with Seo’s post-military mindset – almost as if he’s channeling his own displacement after years away.

His return has been significant, but mixed reviews show he’s still navigating his comeback. Much like his undercover role, he’s finding his place again in the industry.

THE QUESTIONS 🔥

Real talk – does “Undercover High School” deserve more hype, or is it just riding on Seo’s comeback energy?
Is Seo Kang Joon wasting his talent on comedy-action roles when his serious performances were what made him stand out? Drop your thoughts below!